Don't Ignore Your Spine
Greetings Golfers,
So last week, at age 65, Bernhard Langer won the Chubb Classic. It wasn’t the PGA Tour event at Riviera … it was a Senior Tour event in Naples, Florida. But it’s still incredible - most of the good players on the Senior (Champions) Tour are in their early 50s - not 65.
Langer did admit in the post-game interview that it’s a good course for him because it’s short and narrow … but it’s not that short!
So inspired by Langer, GOLF DIGEST had an article about the secret to good golf in your later years. Of course they start off with Sam Snead. Snead loved to play golf - he claimed to play every day … and he never had the injuries that most players have. Snead was crazy flexible … but that wasn’t the only reason for his longevity and lack of injuries. His swing was based on fluid motion and rhythm - not on torque and resistance. And he hit it a long way - even into old age.
Snead also had a good quote: “The harder you hit the nail, the slower you take the hammer back”.
Probably my favorite quote in the article was by Dr. Phil Ozuah, CEO of Montefiore Medical Center: “The happiest people are grateful. The unhappiest are entitled. Be grateful.”
This is good stuff. For any age. For all ages. Not just old folks like me.
Now I’m going to make a leap … bear with me. Last month at the PGA Show, we walked into a really cool showroom of beautiful golf shoes. I talked to one of the shoe creators - not a salesman. He was showing me how the shoes were constructed to be comfortable and supportive. He talked about Tiger Woods having to wear a different company’s golf shoe because the company he represents doesn’t make shoes with enough support. Because of his car accident, Tiger needs more than comfort and style - he needs support.
I found this fascinating and really appreciated how this guy’s mind works. So, I told him my analogy: “It sounds like you’re saying a shoe is like a body - that it needs a spine for support - otherwise it’s just a blob.” He laughed and agreed. (I’m glad he laughed).
Where am I going with this? Well, back to the quote about being grateful … which I love. And I agree that entitled people are unhappy. But, we also have to have a spine. We can’t just be a comfortable blob … even a stylish comfortable blob. Even in old age. We need to have a spine. Otherwise, we’re of no use when people need us.
A lot of arrogant and naive people view us as a blob of clay to be formed into their vision of humanity. I’ve had pretty intense arguments with golf instructors about such attitudes. And it’s not just golf instructors. About 30 years ago, I gave golf lessons during the winter at an athletic training facility run by former Twins and North Stars. They would create a model of an athletic motion on a computer … and then try to make every student into that model.
I argued that every athletic motion had certain fundamentals and that our job was to adapt those fundamentals to the unique students we worked with. One size does not fit all.
Of course they had success stories. But they were the students who were predisposed to their model. Who knows how many they destroyed.
This mindset is prevalent in everything - not just sports. They claim to love diversity - but they love uniformity. They want to make everyone into their model.
They should read the novel “Frankenstein”. The arrogant scientist who believes he can create the perfect human, winds up creating a monster.
Some of these crazy ideas for the modern golf swing destroy people’s bodies. Sure, young people are flexible - but they’re not blobs - they have a spine. Look at the problems these young guys are having with their backs - Jason Day, Brooks Koepka, etc … I could go on and on.
And this madness has to be stood-up to. We have to use our spine/backbone and say no. If we are a blob we cannot support the people who need our help. Just like Tiger’s former golf shoe - it can’t help him when he needs it - he needs a shoe that has a spine.
Being nice is good. But being nice without a spine is not good - just like the blob golf shoe.
A lot of good people have been manipulated into thinking that being a passive blob is noble - while the mad scientists are trying to create a new world.
These mad scientists’ models backed by their systems and stats is short-term thinking. It ignores reality. But they don’t believe in reality. Unfortunately, real people have to pay the price of their Utopian schemes.
So, back to Bernard Langer. His golf swing is based in reality and has held-up for a long time. He is not a Frankenstein - he’s a human being.
And back to the quote about being grateful - not entitled.
Use your spine to do the right thing. Don’t use it to be entitled and demanding.
So, as you work on your golf swing … remember that you are not a blob to be shaped into some crazy model. You have a spine - respect it. And use it to stand-up to mad scientists that are trying to ruin your body and your golf swing and our society.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Deer Run Golf Club
8661 Deer Run Drive
Victoria, MN 55386
(952) 443-2351
Heroes And Celebrities
Greetings Golfers,
In the last few weeks, I’ve watched some interesting golf documentaries … and they’ve been nothing alike.
First off was “The Short Game” … made in 2013 about a Junior Golf World Championship played at Pinehurst. It’s about kids 7 & 8 years old … and they focus on about eight of the players from all over the world. The kids are all likable and entertaining … the parents not so much. And … these kids can really play golf - it’s amazing!
But interesting golf stories aren’t just about kids … we oldsters can be pretty interesting too. Watched a documentary about Tom Watson almost winning the British Open at 59 years of age in 2009. I well remember watching it live … and how unbelievable it seemed that he was going to pull it off. With a one-shot lead on the last hole, he hit a perfect drive down the middle. Then what looked like a perfect 8-iron close to the pin … never stopped rolling until rolled off the green. He failed to get it up-and-down … and the lost in a playoff. Ugh.
Then yesterday, I watched the first 3 episodes of “Follow Through” … a tour of the PGA Tour last year. It begins with following Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth as they take you through their relationship and the trials and tribulations of professional golf. Then as the year goes on, the big news of the LIV Tour takes center stage. They picked quite the year to follow the PGA Tour!
So … I’ve been thinking about all of this … why is this interesting? I don’t really know these people … why do I care? Obviously I love golf and seeing how super talented players deal with golf is interesting … but what is really interesting is how they deal with life.
Are these people heroes or celebrities … or both … or what’s the difference?
Has our society lost heroes and substituted celebrities?
Do we admire virtue and heroism? … or are we more enthralled with glamor and money and power?
So I found an article by Landon Y. Jones, titled “Too Many Celebrities and Not Enough Heroes”. Jones was a writer and editor at People magazine from its first issue in 1974 … so he knows the celebrity scene … and he’s a pretty insightful guy.
Jones said that People magazine used to host focus groups to find out who people were interested in … and always started the sessions by asking who were their heroes. But, about 10 years ago they stopped asking because people couldn’t think of any - except for heroes from history.
Then Jones says: “But we could all do more to identify the heroes living among us. They are our founders and builders. They lead us forward. They encourage us to stop thinking only of ourselves and our narrow interests and to think about a larger purpose. Many celebrities do take on worthy causes. As the joke goes, a movie star without a cause is like a woodpecker without a tree. But celebrities do not typically help us to understand ourselves and our world. We’ll need to look elsewhere for people who help us bridge the gap between who we are and who we want to be.”
And I think he means that gap should be filled by heroes.
Is it heroic to play golf for the LIV Tour?
Is it heroic to make your child into a golf superstar?
Is it heroic to win the British Open at age 59? Can be if you do it honorably like Tom Watson was trying to do.
I wish there were more stories and movies about the heroes among us. The people who do heroic things.
When our staff leaves us for the “real world” … we talk up in my office. My final words are usually “Just do the right thing. It’s the only way you’ll like yourself. Money and power won’t make-up for doing the wrong thing.”
We can all be heroes. We can’t all be celebrities.
We can’t all be champion golfers … but we can all be respected for how we play golf. And I don’t only mean follow the rules … honor is about more than that. I mean how you deal with everything and everyone when you play golf.
In fact, I’ve played with “Letter of the Law” people who are the opposite of the “Spirit of the Law”. We all know the difference. The same way my staff knows what I mean by doing the right thing so that you’ll like yourself.
We need a documentary about heroic golfers.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Deer Run Golf Club
8661 Deer Run Drive
Victoria, MN 55386
(952) 443-2351
The ABCs Of A Golf Swing And A Golf Operation
Greetings Golfers,
As you know, during the off-season, I’ve been trying to improve my golf swing - mostly in search of some of the distance I’ve lost over the years.
However, I’ve come to realize that I need to look at my process for hitting golf shots … and go back to the basics:
Grip
Set-up
Backswing
Downswing
Finish
And … I’m getting things ready to open the golf course. April 4 has been the “normal” date to open.
Like my golf swing … the golf course operation cannot be on auto-pilot … it always needs attention. Unlike my golf swing, Deer Run GC has improved with age.
So, while thinking about my need to go over the steps to hitting a golf shot … I realized it’s analogous to going over the steps to running a golf course.
The off-season is the perfect time to do both. So … here I go with the comparisons. I haven’t really thought this through … so I’ll be learning as I write:
1.) Grip. This is how you feel and control the club. I’m a fingers and soft-hands guy. A squeezed club held in the palms eliminates shot-making. Feel is the focus.
1.) Grip. This is your hands-on to every part of the operation. This is how you feel and control the operation. I’m a fingers and soft-hands guy. A squeezed operation cannot adjust as the season goes on. Feel is the focus.
2.) Set-up. This is how you position yourself so that you can wind up and then hit the ball squarely at the target. A bad set-up makes golf difficult and inconsistent.
2.) Set-up. This is how you position the operation before the season starts. Staffing is the biggest piece. Making sure the other pieces are ready - mowers, carts, F&B service, Pro Shop, range, marketing, booked events. A bad set-up causes a chaotic season.
3.) Backswing. No matter how good your set-up is … if you can’t properly wind-up on your backswing … you’re going to have a tough time hitting good shots. Your body needs to turn and shift weight as you bring the club to the top of the backswing. You need to know where you should to be at the top … otherwise you’re lost. It takes balance, rhythm, control and knowledge.
3.) Backswing. That’s how we start every day. The maintenance staff has to get the course ready. The Pro Shop and desk need to be ready to check-in the golfers. The Pub needs to be ready to nourish the players. The carts have to be charged and lined-up. The range needs to be open and stocked with balls. We need to know what that looks like. And we have to do it. As smoothly as possible.
4.) Downswing. The downswing cannot be rushed. A good backswing puts you in position for a good downswing … but it’s not automatic. A great drill is to stop at the top of your backswing … and feel where you are … then, shift your weight and swing the club into your follow through. A rushed downswing will lead to bad shots of all types. Focus on rhythm.
4.) Downswing. Now we’re playing. Golfers are arriving and playing golf, driving carts, hitting range balls, drinking and eating, and admiring our amazing Pro Shop (I had to say it). This is all about rhythm. We cannot be uptight and hurried. We need to be happy and relaxed and into it. Focus on rhythm.
5.) Finish. The finish doesn’t lie. A bad follow-through indicates a bad swing. A good follow-through is complete and balanced - you could stand there all day. It feels good. You want to savor it
5.) Finish. The finish of a day doesn’t lie. Does it feel good? Did we deal with everything that came our way and make it work? Are we proud of how things went? If we had a good day … it feels great. I want to savor the feel before I lock the doors and go home.
Well that was fun. Hope you enjoyed it half as much as I did. I’ve had a great off-season … can’t wait to try out my new swing at Deer Run GC.
But, I especially can’t wait to come back and open up the golf course. There’s still a lot of work to do … but we have a good process to get there.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Deer Run Golf Club
8661 Deer Run Drive
Victoria, MN 55386
(952) 443-2351
Pitchers and Golfers
Greetings Golfers,
I’ve always thought that a baseball pitcher and a golfer are similar animals.
They’re both controlling a ball with speed and spin to hit a target.
Golf is not really a team game. Sure, there are golf teams … but golfers play as an individual. Not like football, basketball, hockey, soccer, etc … where the players are on a field passing a ball around to each other trying to score and trying to keep the other team from scoring.
And though the baseball pitcher is on the field with the team … he’s pretty alone out there trying to throw the ball past the other team’s batters. And they both use an individual way of starting the action - with a wind-up or a golf swing. They’re not reacting … they’re initiating the action.
The Minnesota Twins have a pitcher - Joe Ryan - who in a recent interview said “I love talking pitching. I love messing around with the baseball, manipulating it in the dugout, just getting that feel. Then I get back on the mound with all of that. It’s a good time.”
Come on … that sounds like a golfer. Later in the interview, he cites vertical approach angle and horizontal break. He also talks about reviewing video of recent outings compared to how he threw in high school with a more over-hand delivery. What makes Joe Ryan special as a pitcher is that he can throw a fastball from a fairly low angle and make it rise … obviously a pitch that is hard to hit.
Hopefully as golfers we aren’t trying to beat other golfers by getting them to swing and miss … but we are trying to beat them with controlled golf shots.
Like Joe Ryan, some of us love messing around with the golf ball. And love looking at videos of our swings and comparing our new swings with our old swings. Are we more upright than we were? Or flatter? Do we make a bigger turn? What is our angle of attack - more steep or more shallow?
A pitcher’s wind-up is a similar motion to a golfer’s golf swing. Both turn and shift weight to build-up power to be released through arm(s) and hand(s) to propel the ball at the target.
You don’t just stand flat-footed and motionless on the mound and throw a 90 mph fastball … and you don’t just stand flat-footed and motionless on the tee-box and hit a 280 yard drive.
Speaking of flat-footed … I played yesterday with my son Ryan. As I said last month, I’ve been working on lifting my left-foot and fully turning it on my backswing. Playing with Ryan was the test. He said that I was doing it and that my swing was better than it was last Fall.
Obviously you want stability in your swing … but you also need motion and athleticism. As we get older and less flexible … lifting the left-foot can help with making a better backswing-turn … and help with motion and athleticism.
My baseball pitching days are through … but I hope to play golf until old(er) age. Using that golf analogy … I’ve lost my fastball … but hopefully I can throw it over the plate.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Deer Run Golf Club
8661 Deer Run Drive
Victoria, MN 55386
(952) 443-2351
Golf is Healthy
Greetings Golfers,
I’m writing this from the PGA Show in Orlando.
And I have good news - the Show is back!
Why is that good news? Because I think it’s directly related to the health of the game of golf.
Here’s another interesting fact about the health of golf: Wednesday - here at the PGA Show - during their State of Golf address, the National Golf foundation announced that last year 25.6 million people played golf at a green grass facility … and that 27.9 million people played golf indoors.
Neither number includes miniature golf.
Golf is taking other forms. The traditional way is not the only way.
That doesn’t mean the end of traditional golf. There is room for Top Golf and St. Andrews.
Obviously our society has become much more casual. You can really see it here at the Show. 25 years ago, most PGA Pros at the Show wore a coat and tie. Now, you seldom see a tie … and not even that many sport coats.
And … that casualness is reflected in the clothing showrooms here at the Show.
A few years ago, I couldn’t believe it when I saw cashmere hoodies in the Greyson showroom … and they were expensive!
Years ago, golf started to get into more athletic wear - a more casual style than the traditional golf wear. And more tennis-type shoes without spikes was a big change from leather golf-shoes with metal-spikes.
There are still traditional golf clothing companies … but there are way more untraditional golf clothing companies.
Well … you saw those numbers … even more people played golf indoors than outdoors last year. What do they wear at Top Golf?
So where is this going? Will people just play golf in sweatpants?
Here’s where I hope common sense takes over. Clothing has different functions and can be symbolic.
Wearing sweatpants to a funeral is disrespectful.
And wearing a formal suit while working in your yard doesn’t make sense.
You’d probably wear different clothing to a fancy restaurant than to a diner.
Just because golf has more options than it once did … doesn’t mean that the option of traditional golf and traditional clothing has to go away.
They’re just another option.
Different clothing doesn’t have to mean pretentiousness or phoniness … it can mean what works and what’s respectful.
Fall colors and warmer fabrics in the Fall … Spring colors and lighter fabrics in the Spring.
Don’t laugh … some people see that as phony.
I see it as common sense.
But some people see good manners as phony. I see them as signs of respect.
We’ve gotten pretty hostile to what built Western Civilization … thinking that if it’s not perfect that it has to all be torn down.
What about tweaks and more options instead of revolution?
Well, that’s what I think is happening to golf … tweaks and more options.
There is still room for traditional golf. We are not seeing the end of golf - this is not a revolution. Indoor golf and more casual golf clothing are good options.
The annual PGA Show in Orlando is a good reflection of what’s happening in golf. COVID stopped it for a few years … but I think it’s coming back better than ever.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Deer Run Golf Club
8661 Deer Run Drive
Victoria, MN 55386
(952) 443-2351
A Bunch of Musings
Greetings Golfers,
Well, my “life-of-leisure” is going quickly … can’t believe it’s Jan. 20. Next week is the PGA Show in Orlando … then it’s February (which will last a minute) … then I’ll be back in MN around March 1 to get ready for the season.
Huh???
So, I’m trying to get in as much golf as I can. In the past week, I’ve been a guest at two great golf communities in this LowCountry area. Had wonderful hosts and played 2 very good golf courses. As I warned you last week - I’ve mastered the game … so it wasn’t surprising when I shot 59 on each course.
Not exactly.
One course I went 4 over on the last 3 holes to shoot 80. And the other course I went 3 over on the last 3 to shoot 79. Not terrible scores … but not fun ways to finish.
And with my Monday group … I went 34-45. My partners were not happy … they loved me on the front and hated me on the back.
In case you’re wondering … I’m riding in a cart. Imagine what I’d shoot if I was walking. Obviously, I need to work on my conditioning. My second host said that was an excuse and that I needed to step-up at the end and not make excuses.
Ouch!
I probably need to go to Utopia, Texas and spend time with Robert Duvall. A blog reader recommended the movie “7 Days in Utopia” … so we watched it the other night. We loved it. It’s cornball … but I love certain kinds of cornball. It’s about a young guy trying to make it on the Tour … and things go bad with his dad on his bag as his caddy. You can probably already map-out the plot … and you’re right … but it’s good stuff … stuff we need to hear.
And Robert Duvall stars in it. I’m not a “stars” guy … but Duvall is probably my all-time favorite actor and here’s just a few of his movies: “The Godfather”, “Godfather II”, “Apocalypse Now”, “Tender Mercies”, “Sling Blade”, “The Natural”, “Network” … even back to “To Kill a Mockingbird”. He’s the Ben Hogan of movies.
Speaking of Ben Hogan and Texas … how would you like to talk the golf swing with Texans Ben Hogan, Jackie Burke, and Lee Trevino? Think they knew anything? You could also throw in these guys - Byron Nelson and Harvey Penick.
Well, Texans weren’t the only great golf instructors. I just finished listening to a podcast called “Need a 4th?” … hosted by Alan Shipneck, Geoff Ogilvy, and Michael Bamberger … and their guest is Sean Foley, the big-time golf instructor/philosopher/psychiatrist from Canada. During the 2 hour podcast … the hosts might have talked for 5 minutes … Sean likes to talk. But … he’s really interesting. You can’t believe how into it he is. He wraps-up the show by talking about Viktor Frankl’s book “Man’s Search for Meaning”. Foley is not exactly your by-the-numbers golf instructor.
Well, next week I’ll be writing from the PGA Show in Orlando. It was canceled during COVID … and was pretty weak last year. Hopefully it’s come back. I love it. I’ve known some Minnesota golf Pros who used to complain about going to it. Really? So … leaving MN for Florida in January … seeing what’s new in golf equipment, clothes, etc. Hanging around with the other MN Pros at the lobby of the Rosen every night … and just seeing everyone in the golf industry … and that’s what you complain about???
I’m not that guy. I love it. And I’m loving my “life-of-leisure”. I don’t take any of it for granted. But … I can feel something happening … I’m getting really excited for the new golf season.
Hope you are too.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Deer Run Golf Club
8661 Deer Run Drive
Victoria, MN 55386
(952) 443-2351
Golf Mastered
Greetings Golfers,
Well, we’ve been here a week … and I’ve totally mastered golf.
Guess I have to move on and master something else … maybe the violin … I’m sure if I devote myself … I can master that in a week too.
Actually, I think I’m playing better than I was a week ago.
Am playing this morning (Friday) with a guy I don’t know from Minnesota on his course with his buddies. Hope I play decently.
So … with all of this playing … I have a bunch of thoughts about the golf swing. Of course I’ve been experimenting … even during our weekly Monday game for big bucks (I won $6!).
My new left foot move is working. I’m making a much better turn and backswing. But … I still have to hit the ball. A baseball pitcher with a good wind-up still has to throw the ball.
So of course I’ve been monkeying with my downswing and ways to make contact.
Years ago I read an interview with Seve Ballesteros and Greg Norman. When asked which hand they emphasize in their swing … Seve said his right-hand … and Norman said his left-hand … though they both made a right-handed swing.
I’ve monkeyed with this for many years. I’m very right-handed. I have way more feel and control with my right-hand.
However, I make a better golf swing when my left-hand is in control … it’s more on plane and has more extension.
But, if my left-hand controls my chipping and wedge shots … I don’t have much feel and might even have poor contact.
So … I use more left-hand on full-shots … especially using a tee. The tee can help with mediocre contact and these big-headed drivers have a lot of room for error.
Greg Norman was one of the most accurate drivers of all-time. Seve Ballasteros was one of the wildest drivers of all time.
But Seve might have been the best chipper of all-time.
While at the Masters in 1995 … I watched Seve play basically alone on Saturday morning. He was the last one to make the cut and was paired with an Augusta member so he wouldn’t play alone (this Augusta member had won the US Amateur - so it wasn’t some goofball playing in the Masters).
I was about the only person following these guys. The other one was Seve’s coach - Mac O’Grady. They were constantly signaling each other back & forth. Seve hit the ball everywhere - it was crazy. But he could get it up-and-down from places that were impossible. I wish I had a movie of it.
Obviously emphasizing my right-hand won’t give me Seve’s short-game … but it’s better than if my left-hand is in control.
And obviously emphasizing my left-hand with my driver won’t give me Norman’s driving … but it’s better than when I emphasize my right hand.
But … what about long irons or fairway woods off the ground? Using a tee is my magic weapon on those shots.
Well, I’m not bad if I have a nice lie … but down here (and especially on some courses) … the lies during the Winter are very skinny. So do I go right-hand for contact … or left-hand for a better swing?
And it’s not just golf shots … this also applies to putting. The other day a golf magazine had an article saying that forward-lean-shaft players were the worst putters on Tour.
My son Ryan sent me the article … because I’m a forward-lean-shaft guy … he’s not … and he’s a much better putter than I am.
My instinct is to put my hands way in front of the putter and basically punch it with my right-hand. This is not conducive to a good roll. Sometimes I do the opposite: I put the ball way forward in my stance … stand tall … and swing the putter with my left-hand and hit the ball on the way up. It does roll the ball well … and I have putted well that way. But I don’t trust it. The only way that I can make my punch-putt work … is to hit it off the toe of the putter to make it roll.
How crazy is all of this???
I’m not making any of this up. This is the goofy stuff I think about and try when playing golf.
Not surprisingly … most of my best rounds have happened when I’ve had a few drinks. And I’m not thinking about any of this stuff.
This is good stuff to understand and practice. I wrote this to be helpful. And to make you not feel not alone if golf info gets overwhelming. I’m actually trying to make it simpler!
Well, the weather is supposed to stay nice and I’ll keep playing everyday. Hopefully I’ll be better next week than I am now.
But after two weeks of golf … I probably won’t have it mastered. If I do … I'll let you know.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Deer Run Golf Club
8661 Deer Run Drive
Victoria, MN 55386
(952) 443-2351
On the Road Again
Greetings Golfers,
I’m writing this from Beaufort, SC. I tell you this not to gloat that I got out of the cold … but as an excuse for what may be a mess of a blog.
We left Tuesday morning - it took us 2 hours to get from Burnsville to Faribault … and around the Northfield exit, I didn’t think we’d make it. Our windshield was iced-over, our windshield wipers were caked in ice … the freeway wasn’t plowed … it was foggy … and a blizzard. Goofballs would pass us …and then veer off the road and get stuck.
However, from Iowa on … it was clear and easy … all the way to our hotel in southern Missouri. And it was clear on Wednesday … though we got in about midnight. Those 14 hour days of driving aren’t easy (for me).
But we’re here … so Thursday morning I had to tee-it-up. Get unpacked and get organized first? No. I had a new swing that had to be tested.
Beaufort is a little town, yet has 3 public courses in neighborhood developments. Not anymore - one of those just went private (it had been abandoned the last 3 years).
Another one was leased-out and the leasee left last year (I talked to him on his last day). And the other one was bought 4 years ago from the heir of a famous nut company who was sick of losing money.
What a trio.
So I tried the former leased-out course first - hoping it was in business. It’s open for business. The neighborhood is running it. The first hole is a skinny par 5 … the trees are so overgrown that you have a tiny window for your opening shot. So are they going to trim the trees and rebuild the pathetic tee-box? Oh no … they’re building a mammoth bunker in the middle of the fairway … right at the length of the landing zone.
Check-in took about an hour because they are obsessed with data. I’m sure the 17 of us who played there yesterday will have a big impact on their future.
So … I left after 9 holes and went to the course formerly owned by the nut man. Now I don’t know what to say. This is not good. The new owner needed more money … so he brought in a 49% partner last year … who supposedly put a million dollars into it. That didn’t phase what was needed. Tragically, the owner committed suicide in his office in the clubhouse.
Golf is supposed to be fun … recreation … a break from our troubles. However, the business of golf is seldom those things. It’s crazy difficult. Too many expenses.
While I was hearing this horrible story … one of my 1pm Monday group came in after 9 … saw me … and asked if I wanted to join them on the back.
Yes!
These are good guys. The course is terrible … but I really like these guys.
So … I know you’re wondering about my “new swing”. Well, my son Ryan took a video of my swing around Nov. 1. It was not good. My backswing was about waist-high … with no hip-turn nor shoulder-turn. Just basically a guy hitting a punch-shot.
You need more than a punch-shot. Obviously the years had caught-up with me … I had to make a change. So … I realized that my left-foot had to come up off the ground. In fact, the foot had to come up and turn … and my left knee had to turn with it … and I mean really turn. That’s the only way that I can make a backswing … I mean a backswing with a turn and get my hands shoulder high.
So … I practiced this in the clubhouse almost every day in November and December. Ryan took another video of me in late December and couldn’t believe it. I don’t mean it looked great … it just didn’t look like a 200 year-old man swinging a golf club.
But … will it work????
Well … yesterday (Thursday) … it worked pretty well. Those guys noticed. They said some almost complimentary things … stuff like “That wasn’t bad” … coming from them that was high praise.
Well … it’s good to be here. Nice to take a break. A road trip is good for the soul … clears your head.
Life isn’t easy. Driving in a blizzard isn't easy. Golf isn’t easy. Owning a golf course isn’t easy. We have to be able to change. But we also have to be patient. Keep plugging forward … making changes as needed … but keeping patient in the process. And making the best of it as we go.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Deer Run Golf Club
8661 Deer Run Drive
Victoria, MN 55386
(952) 443-2351
Happy New Year
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Every year, most of us look forward to a new year - a new beginning (some years more than others!).
And New Year resolutions have become as normal to the New Year as Christmas presents are to Christmas.
Probably the most typical resolutions are about health: losing weight, getting in shape, etc.
Being golfers, we need to do those things … and improve our golf game. We can always improve our chipping and putting. And, improve our golf swing. But just improving our golf swing won’t make-up for not improving our health and short-game.
We need to do it all.
That wasn’t meant to sound over-whelming … it’s just the truth. We can do it … but, I recommend baby steps … not leaps. Everyday, eat better (and less) … do some exercises … go for a walk. You’re not Rocky preparing to fight Apollo Creed … you’re just trying to improve.
We all want to hear what we want to hear. Thus … we’re vulnerable to quick fixes, magic pills, short cuts, etc. But hearing what you want to hear isn’t always good.
Well, I have no agenda. I’m not running for office or selling a video of how to be a scratch player in one week. I’m just recommending being the tortoise instead of the hare.
It will be a good year … step-by-step.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
What is Unseen
Greetings Golfers,
One of my all time favorite books is “That Which Is Seen, and That Which Is Not Seen” by Frederic Bastiat. Though Bastiat wrote his treatise on economics, the premise applies to understanding anything.
As we grow up, hopefully, we learn from experience. But, too often, we only learn the immediate result - we don’t see the other results of our actions. Usually, our actions have unintended consequences. Thus, we need to develop foresight to become aware of the consequences of our actions.
Usually, the quick fix doesn’t solve the problem because it doesn’t get to the root of the problem. Obviously if you’re bleeding, you need a band-aid - but, band-aids are usually only temporary fixes.
You get the point ... you don’t need me to belabor how short-sightedness hurts our health, our relationships, our businesses, our economy, etc.
What blows my mind is that Bastiat wrote this book in 1840, and it seems that we still haven’t learned this basic lesson. Maybe it’s because our lives are so short that society doesn’t learn mature lessons.
Ironically, as we become more modern and “advanced”, we want immediate gratification. A fast-paced consumer society can easily become shallow and short-sighted. But a communistic society is based on “materialism” - I mean the Marxist definition of materialism - that life is only what you see (matter) and not spiritual.
I believe that the lack of spirituality is at the root of the problem. If humans do not believe that life is more than it seems ... their view of life has to be pretty superficial. The depth of life is what gives it meaning, what makes it make sense - it is “that which is unseen”.
The beauty of the Christmas season is wonderful - enjoy it. But, especially treasure the beauty that underlies the visible world ... that’s what this Holiday Season is really about.
Merry Christmas.
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Good Driving
Greetings Golfers,
Yesterday while having lunch with some buddies … I was asked if good golf is a genetic thing or an option for everybody.
I said that I thought that golf was mostly about having good hands … and that some people are blessed with great hands … but that anyone can train their hands and work on developing feel.
Of course, making a big athletic, well-timed swing is an asset … but if you can’t control the club-face … you can’t control the golf ball.
Think of a pitcher with a great arm and powerful wind-up … who can’t control his pitches. 95 mph and over the catcher’s head is not good pitching.
Feel is vital to good golf.
Feel is vital to safe driving. Yesterday morning the roads were terrible and I saw multiple cars in the ditch. I think that some people have no feel of the road. They just look at the speed-limit sign and go … not aware of that the conditions should determine their speed.
Yesterday, I was driving at speeds where I could feel the road. Not exactly rocket-science … but necessary for safe driving.
Same with golf. A big fast swing without feel of the club-head will lead to a lot of crazy shots.
These snowy days are a good time to practice your wedge shots in the house. Just chip into a couch. We used to have a Scottish-plaid couch that I would use to practice hitting the squares on the couch. You’ll be amazed at how good you can get at it.
Not only will it improve your chipping … but that feel of the club-head will transfer to your full-swing.
Good car driving is probably genetic like good golf driving … and most of us shouldn’t be race car drivers. But if we develop and focus on feel … we should be able to be good drivers of a car and a golf ball.
Just takes some work and common-sense.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Two Great Guys
Greetings Golfers,
I hope you read the latest edition of MINNESOTA GOLFER magazine - the Travel edition. Not because of the travel info … but because of the opening and closing columns.
So, you open the magazine and read the “Editor’s Letter” by W.P. Ryan. The title of W.P.’s letter is “A Legend Retires from Golf Administration” … referring to “legend” Guy Green. Guy was one the founders of the MGA and an original with Joe Soucheray and Patrick Reusse on KSTP’s Monday Night Sports Talk. This show was before ESPN and it started the whole sports talk genre. These guys were hilarious.
Later on, Guy moved up to Brainerd … got into politics … and back into radio … and seems to like life Up North. He hasn’t mellowed-out or lost his amazing wit … he regales some of us with a blog called “Grampa Guy” … it’s profound and hilarious.
Then if you jump to the back of the magazine … you’ll find Mark Craig’s “Backspin” column … this one titled “Ode to ‘The Greatest’” … a tribute to Michael Turnbull … who I wrote about last month. Mark is a great writer who captures who Michael was and what he was all about.
That these two legends of Minnesota golf bookend an edition of MINNESOTA GOLFER is a perfect tribute to both guys … and a perfect tribute to Minnesota golf.
Though they were on opposite ends politically … they liked and respected each other … and knew that golf could handle and needed their unique talents and perspectives.
Golf has great respect for tradition … and yet is not afraid of progress. It can handle both.
Golf is dealing with the same struggles as are the culture and politics of America. But with a lot more grace and respect.
There is room for old-school golf. There is room for innovative equipment. There are classic course risk-reward designs and modern target-golf designs. Robotic swing instruction and “feel” based instruction. Country clubs … munis … 9-hole courses … resort courses.
Obviously I could go-on-and-on. But it’s still about hitting a ball with a stick.
But it can be so much more than that. It can handle what you bring to it. Guy is and Michael was … extremely intelligent. And passionate. And unique.
However, most of us aren’t … and we don’t have to be to love golf. But those guys brought something very special to golf that we can all appreciate.
And I appreciate MINNESOTA GOLFER magazine for reminding us how lucky we are to have been blessed with them here in Minnesota.
Please hit this link to really enjoy what I’m trying to say.
https://www.nxtbook.com/mspc/mga/travel2022/index.php#/p/Intro
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Work, Golf and Ranches
Greetings Golfers,
“We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same.”
Wise words from Carlos Castaneda. Yeah - that guy. Those of us from the 60s-70s era of mind-expansion and a search for meaning will recognize his name.
Even Castaneda - someone who would be considered on the opposite side of traditional America - knew that the secret to mental health is work. We need to work for what we want.
A new set of golf clubs will not make-up for a lack of work. They can help. But they don’t hit the ball for you … you control the golf club.
I believe Seve Ballesteros learned to play golf with a 3-iron … and on a beach. Chi-Chi Rodriguez has much crazier stories. Think those two had good short games? Think they could hit golf shots? Think they worked hard on their golf games?
We are not machines. We have logic and emotions and feel. Machines do not have hands. Good golfers have good hands. Sure, some people are blessed with good hands. However, we can all improve our feel of the golf club.
This winter is a great time to develop more feel. Practice hitting shots with one-hand. Full-shots and half-shots. Practice putting and chipping in your house with each hand.
Do you watch that show “Yellowstone”? Well, last season it was trying to make the point that the boys (including Jimmy) need to earn what they want. It’s not what they want to hear - but it’s what they need to do.
In fact, one of the boys learns “the secret to life” from Rip - the ranch foreman … “You don’t deserve anything”. A few minutes later, the patriarch of the ranch - John - tells the boy the same thing.
It was said out of love and respect. John had told it to Rip when he was an orphan … and Rip knew it was the secret to his success and sanity.
Well, none of us deserve a good golf game. But we can earn it. Just takes work.
They must have a golf course on the ranch - I’m looking forward to that episode!
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Thankful for the Challenge
Greetings Golfers,
A belated “Happy Thanksgiving”!
I hope it was happy … and I hope you were thankful. Thankful and happy seem to go hand-in-hand.
Are we thankful only when things are going our way? Too often that’s the case. But, we especially need to be thankful when times are hard.
Here’s what I mean: Years ago when our sons were kids, they asked me why the world wasn’t perfect … Why was there sickness, pain, death, etc?
My answer was a golf analogy (of course). I said “What if when you played golf, every shot was a hole-in-one? Would it be any fun? The only reason golf is worth playing is that it's hard. The challenge is to rise above the difficulties.”
Obviously, the analogy applies to life.
But does it have to be so hard/brutal? … well, the consequences have to be real. Consequences? What about random unfair stuff? You mean like bad bounces or terrible lies in golf? Part of the game.
Now, I don’t mean that because life can be brutal and not fair that we have a license to be brutal and unfair. Just the opposite. That’s why being a good person who tries to be fair and do the right thing matters. Really matters.
The challenge is to rise above the difficulties.
We can do what really matters.
That’s what we should be thankful for.
Thankfully,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
The Many Forms of Golf
Greetings Golfers,
Golf can come in many forms. Remember, it started with Scottish shepherds hitting a rock with a stick while tending their flock.
And over time it evolved into the 18 hole game we know and love today.
However, we can hit balls at a range … or practice our short game on a chipping green … or play a 9 hole course or one of the new “short courses”.
Pinehurst started the trend with their “The Cradle” short course. It’s 13 par 3 holes … and all you need is a wedge and a putter. It’s casual - music blaring out from big speakers … and a bar in the middle of the holes.
Is it popular? It did 63,000 rounds last year.
People love to hit a rock with a stick. Sure, it’s fun to putt … but it’s especially fun to take a whack at it.
Top Golf has gone crazy. Golf simulators are packed in the winter-time up here.
The other day I read an article that the big threat to the future of golf is computer golf. Are you as sick of constant “threats” as I am? Golf is not going to die because of computer golf.
Nice restaurants didn’t die because of fast-food restaurants.
I think people want more variety - more options.
The threat or the danger is in trying to be everything-to-everybody. For example, if I go to a restaurant and they have everything on the menu - French, Chinese, Italian, Mexican, Steak, Seafood, Ribs, etc … I know that everything is probably bad. They can’t do it all well - not happening.
Same with a golf course. Maybe a giant golf resort like Pinehurst can do a lot of different things … but even they have to be careful.
Not every course has to be 7400 yards and able to host the US Open.
Golf was too hung-up on that for too long. Does making a golf course really hard make it better? Does making food super spicy make it better? Isn’t good a good thing?
I’ve played golf courses where every hole is tricked-up? Is that fun? Maybe, if you think golf should be a crazy carnival-ride … or a house-of-mirrors.
But I think a golf course should be straight-forward and a common-sense challenge of risk-and-reward. Boring isn’t interesting … but it beats ridiculous.
However, I’m not the King-of-Golf. Fortunately there are a lot of golf courses out there … I’m not stuck having to play “Alice-In-Wonderland GC”.
Even though golf is an old game … people have been eating a lot longer than playing golf. So of course there are more food options than golf options.
But golf is catching-up. Those Scottish shepherds would be proud.
Whatever form it takes … it’s still all about the joy of hitting a rock with a stick.
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Fergie for President
Greetings Golfers,
Well, you’re probably sick of politics … but I think you’ll like this photo of “Fergie for President”.
My brother Dan spotted it the other day on a lawn in Excelsior.
Before her run for office … Fergie had taken over the role of DRGC mascot.
I did not know she was a political animal. I’ve known her for many years as the pet of our Staff-member Ketti Histon.
Her talents mostly consist of demanding for treats.
She’s not subtle. And she doesn’t beg. She demands.
She thinks she’s in charge at all times.
Yet, she would not make a good President. Her arrogance is not an asset to leadership. Her lack of concern for others would lead to her being a demanding tyrant.
However … she is hilarious! Not intentionally … but definitely hilarious. So, her picture on a sign for President gives a much needed hilarity to politics in America.
And you may see more of her image in our DRGC marketing next year.
How can we not?
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Better Than Words
Greetings Golfers,
Sometimes … I just have nothing to say.
So, I’ll use that saying “A picture is worth a thousand words”.
This video of Louise Suggs golf swing is better than a thousand words.
https://twitter.com/LukeKerrDineen/status/1588149756790022145?s=20&t=airGeKZgcp8cYmwwTRxMTw
I can’t stop watching it. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Vital Information
Greetings Golfers,
Three more days ’til Halloween. That’s a fact … and also a line from an annoying song in the movie “Halloween III”. Of course I thought the song was hilarious … though my wife and golf partners did not enjoy my singing of it.
That was 40 years ago … and also a beautiful October … we played golf right up until Halloween.
Though the rumor is of more nice weather next week … Sunday, October 30 is our last day of golf in 2022.
We had a great year. That’s fun to say. Weather-wise, April was brutal, and May was mediocre … but June through October was amazing.
Good weather is good for the golf business. (Profound!)
But good weather isn’t enough to make for a good golf experience … that depends on culture.
On Monday of this week, Joe Schmitt gave a talk at the MN PGA Fall Meeting. It was about culture … and it was great. Usually these types of talks at meetings are pretty generic and not very insightful. Well, this was profound.
I’m not going to go into it … but basically it was about culture first, money second. About the importance of making people feel good. Staff and golfers. And developing the skill of making people feel good about themselves.
Bravo Joe … bravo!
A golf course has a unique opportunity to build a culture. Build. It won’t happen on its own. And it’s not just jumping to satisfy the whims of people. It’s about building connection and respect and sharing a sense of humor. In a unique way. That’s a good culture.
Well … we have a lot of people at DRGC who have those skills. It’s pretty incredible. I try to stay out of their way. But … I want to thank them publicly. Last month I thanked Barry and his maintenance staff. Now I’d like to thank Kelly Olive and her food-service staff:
Alexa Allenson
Emma Bigham
Grace Blackwell
Kelli Cole
Courtney Eder
Ellie Eskuche
Lauren Eskuche
Emily Fornetti
Elizabeth Gerebi
Allison Grobel
Riley Histon
Maeve Kelly
Caroline Kohls
Allyson Kuzara
Jocelyn Lindquist
Izzy Lodge
Clare Melander
Jayne Pipkorn
Mara Sandberg
Sasha Snegirova
Elise Wilson
But that’s not all … Ketti Histon and Kathy Fee Jones and Thomas Aragon-Menzel were in charge of the Pro Shop, and the inside and outside staff. They all did a great job:
Dan Abts
Emma Braaten
Jacob Bryant
Kyle Bryant
Tyler Bryant
Avery Charon
Kam Hendrickson
Mike Melander
JT Rathbun
Ben Reiff
Zach Reiff
Danny Renner
Emily Renner
Ty Smith
Ethan Wolff
They all created a great culture. The proof is in this fact - we had no drama amongst staff … zero … seriously. We did great in the annual Tee Times Magazine Readers Choice Awards that can be viewed here … but the lack of drama was the real tale of the tape.
Ok … other vital information. We will continue our tradition of selling Holiday Passes from mid-November to mid-December. The exact dates and prices will be forth-coming.
However, we do have an exact date for our Annual Christmas Sale. That will be on Saturday, December 3.
Wow! Three days until Halloween … then Thanksgiving … then Christmas … then we’ll be teeing-it-up in March.
Hope to see you this weekend … and/or at the Christmas Sale. Don’t worry … I don’t sing that “Halloween III” song anymore.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Turn-Turn-Turn
Greetings Golfers,
Fall is here.
I didn’t like it as a kid. It meant going back to school. It meant that Summer fun was over.
Fall is a time of reflection. Falling leaves, shorter days and colder nights - these are all signs of a new change in the eternal circle of nature.
As a kid … I didn’t get it or want it. I wanted endless Summer.
Now I’m getting it. It’s time to slow down. And try to find balance. During the Autumn equinox, day and night are of equal length … a time of balance.
In the last few weeks … I lost a good friend … and welcomed Grand-baby #2 into the world.
As you know, we play music on our speakers leading into the Clubhouse. One of the mainstays is the Blood Sweat & Tears station. One of their best songs is “And When I Die”. It’s not a depressing song … it’s an uplifting song with horns … and the final line is “And when I die, there’ll be one child born in our world to carry on”.
It’s a time of letting go … not easy for me to do.
In “Kinds of Power” James Hillman, the elder statesman of depth psychology, challenges us to learn from others about this: “For what the actor tries to achieve on stage is to ‘get out of the way’ so that the character he is portraying can come fully out. So too the writer and the painter; they have to get out of the way of the flow of the work onto the paper and the canvas.” Same with a golfer.
Michael Turnbull was an excellent golfer. And a good friend. Joe Oberle just wrote a great tribute to Michael on the MGA website. https://www.mngolf.org/News/Michael_Turnbull_19552022. Please check it out. I really miss him. If you didn’t know him … you’ll feel like you knew him after reading Joe’s article. Michael was really a character.
Right after he died, my wife and I went to a concert of local musicians playing homage to the music from Laurel Canyon during the late 60s and early 70s. Michael and I were the same age and shared the music and craziness of those years. We were both on a “search”. I kept thinking about him during the concert.
Well, the musicians came back for an encore and played “Turn!Turn!Turn!” by the Byrds. Originally a Pete Seeger song, yet word-for-word from Ecclesiastes 3:1- 8.
“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.”
Yes there is.
Son Mikey’s wife Amy just gave birth to daughter Fallon Isabella.
Life is not endless Summer.
Fall reminds us of the impermanence of everything. And brings home to our consciousness death and the challenge to live every day to our fullest.
Sue Jeffers in “Embracing Uncertainty” said:
“Spiritual masters in Tibet used to set teacups upside down before they went to bed each night as a reminder that all life was impermanent. And then, when they awoke each morning, they turned their teacups right side up again with the happy thought ‘I’m still here!’ This simple gesture was a wonderful reminder to celebrate every moment of the day.”
I get it. I’m going to celebrate living. And, reflect on Michael and the past.
Turn-turn-turn.
But I’m going to especially celebrate Fallon Isabella … and her 6 month old cousin Julia Jane.
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
A New Feel
Greetings Golfers,
The other day a guy was in our shop looking at putters. He was sure that he needed a new putter. So I asked him why … and he gave me a litany of reasons … I’m sure you’ve heard or thought most of them yourself.
I recommended that what he needed was a different putter … not necessarily a new putter. He needed a fresh feel.
Lee Trevino said that you putt better when your hands haven’t gotten too comfortable with a putter … that the newness increased your hands’ sensitivity.
Maybe.
Most of my best putting rounds were with a new or different putter. I probably was more aware.
I know that sounds counter-intuitive. You’d think that being more comfortable with a putter is what you want.
Arnold Palmer used to bring a bunch of putters to the practice green before a tournament … and try to find one that was “working”.
Of course this isn’t right for everyone. Ben Crenshaw used the same putter forever … and was as good as it gets on the green.
But perfectionism is not a good thing … and especially with putting. Nobody makes everything. Not in anything. Look at NBA free-throw stats … they’re about the same as college and even high school player stats. Seriously.
In fact, the guy who makes a tough shot with a hand in his face is also the same guy who misses a free-throw with no one guarding him.
A lot of people think that when they hit a bad shot, that it means they’ve lost their swing. They think that a good swing means the end of bad shots.
When I used to give lessons … sometimes I’d purposefully trip and make sure they saw it. Then, wipe my brow and say “Oh no, I can’t walk anymore. I better start fresh … lift my right foot, bend my knee, step forward while I shift my weight …”
We’d laugh (sometimes) … and I’d say that would make walking really difficult … and would make running impossible.
Good golfers hit bad shots. Normal people sometimes trip when walking. I worry about patterns. If I’m tripping every time I walk … I’ve got a problem. If I shank 5 shots in a row … I’ve got a problem.
Just because I love working and experimenting with my golf swing … doesn’t mean I’m trying to become a perfect-robot. I’m trying to learn more about what works … and different ways to hit golf shots.
The learning never ends.
And … trying new golf clubs is part of it. Sometimes a new feel is a good thing.
I love the search for knowledge. But I don’t love the search for perfection.
We’re humans - not robots. We have feel and they don’t. Keep working on your feel. Sometimes you just need a new feel.
Cheers!
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com